48 Things That 48 Mountains Have Taught Me

A little under a year ago, I set a big goal for myself. I wanted to hike the 48 mountains in New Hampshire that sit at 4,000 feet or above, and to do so in less than one year. Hiking was new to me, but quickly became a passion of mine that I fell head first into.

Shortly after setting this goal, I realized that I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into… and no idea what I was doing. I learned things along the way, like how to listen to my breathing, the sound of my feet moving forward step by step. I fell in love with that crazy high you get after summiting. Those mountains have seen me at my highest of highs and my lowest of lows. They have taught me so much about myself and about others. They’ve taught me about gratitude and perseverance. They are where I’ve pushed myself to my limits, to become a stronger person—mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’ve shed a layer of my soul on every single summit and gained memories that I will treasure indefinitely.

As this journey comes to an end, here are 48 things that 48 mountains have taught me about life, love, and happiness.

How and why you push yourself is so important.

Your mind will quit on you ten times quicker than your body will.

A rainy day in the mountains is better than a sunny day on the couch.

Failure teaches far more valuable lessons than success ever will.

You are your own biggest, best, and important project to work on. So, never stop working on yourself.

Stay humble.

Stay focused.

Stay driven.

Your attitude toward a situation is absolutely everything.

Fear will destroy your dreams before you will get the chance to.

When you hold yourself accountable for your mistakes, you will finally recover from them. So own them. Embrace them. Cherish them. Learn from them. And most importantly, move on from them.

Complaining will get you no where, fast.

The people you surround yourself with should be a reflection of who you aspire to be. Choose wisely.

Comfort zones are just a pipe dream.

Be mindful and grateful for each and every moment you’re alive.

If you aren’t taking risks, you’re actually risking more in long run.

Know that you’re able to achieve anything you set your mind to.

Pain is 100 percent a temporary feeling.

One of life’s biggest advantages to have is the ability to practice self-discipline.

Being scared is a lot like being excited.

Being an enthusiast in life will get you very far. Always be enthusiastic with everything you do in life.

Work on fixing what you can, and let go of the rest. And, if you can’t control the outcome of a situation, work on the way you react to it instead.

The most spontaneous, unplanned adventures will end up being your best stories to tell.

Beauty comes in unusual, unfamiliar places. Beauty can be found anywhere as long as you choose to see the beauty in it,

Always expect the unexpected. Prepare for the worst, but continue to hope for the best.

A particular season of your life isn’t permanent. Similar to the changing of the seasons, we are constantly transitioning through each season of our lives without realizing it.

Dreams won’t work out unless you do.

If you put in the work, you will get the results.

Every day has the ability to be a good day. It’s really just in the type of mind-set you bring to the day. You truly always have the power to turn a bad day into a good one.

Doing something that scares the crap out of you will only help you grow as a person.

Sometimes plans won’t go as planned, and it’s a huge waste of time to dwell on that. Instead, work on embracing what’s in front of you right in the moment.

There is no finish line in life.

You should never ignore all the steps it will take to complete a goal. Never underestimate the smaller steps because they in fact, matter too.

It’s amazing how something as simple as a quiet walk through the woods can boost your spirits and make you feel good again. Don’t take the simple things for granted.

In life, there are people who give and there are people who take. Be somebody who gives to those that are in need.

Having self-discipline will help you in unexpected, unusual situations.

Be habituated, but don’t forget to have fun, too. If you aren’t having fun, what’s the point?

Once you are aware of what your weaknesses are, you will see how weaknesses do not make you weak.

Your ego will always be your biggest downfall.

Set your goals for the right reasons.

Life is trying to teach you a lesson at every given moment. Especially the most difficult and uncomfortable moments.

Hold yourself accountable for what you do or don’t do.

Humility, compassion, and kindness are three looks that will never go out of style. Keep these values close to your heart and work on practicing them daily.

Stop hating your body for the way it looks and start treasuring it for everything it allows you to do. You have one body to live in, so treat it kindly. Nurture it. Respect it. Your body allows you to explore incredible places.

If something is important enough to you, you will find time for it.

Most battles we face are far more mental than they are physical.

Sometimes your own solitude will be exactly what you need to find happiness again.

Life isn’t a meant to be a race. Hike at your own pace, live at your own pace, and ride the waves as they come. And if you miss out on a swell, don’t worry – another one is on its way.

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Hi there! I am an avid hiker, blogger, and adventurer from a small town in Massachusetts.
Last Fall, I fell in love with hiking – particularly in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And, I have set a goal to crush all of the 48 4,000 footers in under a year. I may be new to the hiking community, but since October of 2017, I have summited over 200 peaks, spent countless hours in the darkness of the wilderness, trekked hundreds of miles in unfavorable terrain, and found myself in the process.